As Abby sank back into the car seat, I made a mental note: “Write a picture book about wanting to sell a little sister.”

Out of that encounter with my bickering babes, Sister For Sale was birthed — a picture book released in March 2002 by Zonderkidz, and since released in a paperback version (2004) and a special I CAN READ format (2007).

In fact, most of my ideas for children’s stories have come from observing Abby and Ally going about their everyday kid life; listening to their delightful dialogue; and eavesdropping on them and their friends. But, what happens now that they are both teenagers? I’m not about to have more babies just so I can stay “in touch” with today’s kiddos. (Hey, I’m dedicated to my craft, but that’s pushing it!) So, how can we write for little children when we no longer have young kiddos living in our homes? We have to embrace the three important “R’s” – Rent, Research and Remember.

1. Rent a Child for the Day: If you don’t have any children, you need to hang out with children so that you’ll understand kid lingo, children’s likes and dislikes, current trends, etc. Offer to babysit for the neighbors’ children or your relatives’ children. Take your turn working the nursery at church. Work with Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; other children’s groups.

2. Research: hang out where kiddos hang out; read what they are reading; watch what they are watching; get into their world! You’ll want to observe children at play. Watch how they interact. Listen to how they talk. Observe how they move and what they wear, etc. Go to the Park. Go to Chuck E. Cheese. Go to the zoo. See the latest animated movie and tune into the Nickelodeon and Disney channels on TV. Read the Newbery and Caldecott winning picture books each year. (http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal)

3. Remember: think back to when you were a kid: Times may have changed but the raw emotion of a story never goes out of style. Draw from your own childhood experiences. Tap into memories of your proudest, saddest, most embarrassing or disappointing moments. Slang, toys, and fashions come and go, but feelings are universal and timeless.

Childhood memories may be the story buds for numerous future articles and books. The key is to remember with all of your senses—what you saw, how it felt, how it smelled, etc.

Become that child again…

The old writer’s cliché, “Write what you know,” is still as true as the first time some wise person said it. So, get to know the children you’re writing for, and enjoy becoming a kid again. Now, don’t bother me. “Big Time Rush” is about to come on Nickelodeon…

What helps you write for children?

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author, earning top honors from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Selah Awards, and the Hoosier State Press Association. Author of over 70 books and a regular blogger for Guideposts, Michelle has written more than 1,000 articles for newspapers and magazines since graduating with a journalism degree from Indiana University. Michelle is currently celebrating the release of her latest book, Love And Care for the One & Only You (Worthy).
When not working on her own assignments, Michelle ghostwrites books for celebrities and some of today’s most effective and popular ministers. In fact, she helped pen a New York Times Bestseller in 2008. And, she is also a much sought after teacher at writers conferences, universities, community and corporate events, and churches around the nation.
Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two college-aged daughters, Abby and Allyson, as well as a miniature dachshund and four cats. When not writing or teaching writing, Michelle enjoys leading fitness classes at Priority Fitness, and cheering on the Indiana University Basketball team, the Chicago Cubbies, and the LA Kings. www.michellemedlockadams.com